Secretary of Homeland Security talks sanctuary laws during time in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spent her time in the capital talking about Illinois sanctuary laws.

"I'm here at the direction of President Trump today to draw attention to the dangerous policies of Illinois and the Illinois governor and what he has perpetuated as far as violence and criminality against his citizens here in the state," said Noem.

The secretary spoke near the home where community activist Emma Shafer was stabbed to death in 2023. Noem said Shafer wouldn't have died if her accused murderer had been deported sooner.

"Gabriel Calixto Pichardo already had a felony kidnapping," said Noem. "And then when he was released, he should have been deported immediately. This murder and the illegal alien has now been on the run for two years."

In 2023, WAND News sat down with Kathryn O'Brien, a former partner of Calixto. In 2018 he pleaded guilty to kidnapping O'Brien.

Protestors arrived to the area on Wednesday denouncing the use of Shafer's murder as a political talking point.

"How dare you use Emma for your racist agenda," protestors chanted at Noem.

Others who knew Shafer joined with protestors near the capitol.

"It's gross and it's cruel. And anyone who knew anything about Emma would know that she would have been here today," said Holly Thompson, a friend of Shafer. "And she was a strong, strong advocate for immigrants."

When Noem was asked why Shafer's family was not in attendance, she said officials had tried to contact them but they hadn't heard back.

After the event, Shafer's parents, Cathy Schwartz and John M. Shafer, released a statement slamming the secretary and imploring her to stop using Shafer's memory as a political football.

"To see her used by Secretary Noem and others to advance a cruel and heartless political agenda is not just deeply painful to us - it is an insult to her memory," read part of the statement.

The secretary wrapped up her visit by urging attendees to push Governor JB Pritzker to change state immigration policies.

"Governor Pritzker, change your ways. Protect your people. Help us clean up our streets and help us stop this violent, illegal, alien criminal activity that's happening in your state."

Pritzker released a statement following the visit that said "publicity stunts do not make our communities safer or our immigration system smarter."